Text verses: Genesis 17:1-5

“…walk before me, and be thou perfect.” (Genesis 17:1)

God’s time has come to convert Abram, or to confirm in Abram that the Covenant is a reality to him and him alone, “between me and thee” (Genesis 17:2).

There are many conversions in a Child of God’s life. Of course, the first conversion is when one confesses Christ as his Lord and Savior. But as one grows in truth, there are many conversions, or changes, in his life. These changes are monumental. They bring about a life change in thoughts, motives, and actions (or deeds); in one’s walk.

In Abram’s case, God had given Abram faith in the Ur of the Chaldees, “By faith Abraham… obeyed…” (Hebrews 11:8). God had already appeared to Abram and talked with him many times (Acts 7:2; Genesis 12:1, 7; 13:14; 15:1). In these appearances, God had revealed to Abram where he was to live (the Land of Canaan) and what God would do through him; and that it would be based on a Sacrifice by God alone (Genesis 15:12-17).

However, God’s timing had come to make a definite change in Abram’s life and in his spirit. God had already revealed to Abram that He was LORD, or Jehovah (Genesis 12:1; etc.); that He was “thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1).

And now in Genesis 17:1, He reveals: “I am the Almighty God,” or I am the Strong One, the Only God, All Powerful, the Covenant God, the Foundation of the Covenant – I am the Applier of the Covenant to you. Abram, you are Mine. Therefore, you are to reflect My Glory, My Love, My Holiness in your daily life; “walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

The word “walk” is indicative of Abram’s manner of behavior before God and before men. This walk is to be “perfect.” The Hebrew word for “perfect” is “tâmı̂ym” (#H8549); it comes from “tâmam” (#H8552). It means entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as a noun) integrity, truth; without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely, without spot, undefiled, upright, whole, etc.

In summary, God commanded Abram to live a pure and holy life before God and others. The question comes: Why are God’s covenanted people to walk perfect before God and others?

The answers are:

1) We are His Temple (Romans 8:14-16; 1 Corinthians 3:16).

2) We are to resemble God’s Holiness and Righteousness, for He “is holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 9:24-27; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

3) Because:

a) We have been given a New Nature:

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” (Ephesians 4:22)

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” (Ephesians 4:23)

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)

b) We have been raised from the dead, spiritually dead (Romans 6:4; Ephesians 2:1-3); based on our quickening in Christ on the Cross (Ephesians 2:4-5).

c) We are a New Creature:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

4) We have been set free from the law of sin and death:

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

5) We have been made One in Christ (Romans 8:1; John 17:21-24).

6) We have been given all that pertains to life and godliness:

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” (2 Peter 1:3)

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4)

7) Now Christ abides in us; we are fruit-bearers (John 15:1-16); we are His friends and are told (revealed) the Will of God.

Along with God’s first command to Abram, God revealed to Abram now, in a fuller way, by an internal witness, that the Foundation of the Everlasting Covenant of God included Abram. This is revealed in verse 3, “And Abram fell on his face…” which shows humbleness, worship, even contrition. It also shows thankfulness, that God would include me, a sinner.

So it is at the point of conversion when God reveals to you – I am your God and Savior; I died for you; I ratified My Covenant of Redemption in and through My Atonement; by Grace and Mercy I have revealed this to you.

In verse 2, God tells Abram, “And I will make my covenant between me and thee…” And in verse 4, He continues, “As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee…” Oh Hallelujah Day it is when God, in His Grace and Mercy, reveals that I am His and He is mine.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:16)

I am your Father; and you are My sons and daughters (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 6:18). And you cry “Abba, Father.”

This act will humble you and cause you to bow before God and worship Him and Him alone; confessing your unworthiness in self, but your worthiness in Him and His Atonement for you (Romans 10:9-10).

This confession and acknowledgement of Christ as your Savior is not the requirement of – but is the result of – God’s Choice, His Atonement, and the Regeneration Process by the Spirit of God.

Then comes the realization that you have been given a name change. Abram’s new name is Abraham, from barren to fruitful. Before conversion, we are barren, but after conversion, we begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Fruit bearing is one of God’s purposes in calling us to Himself. Read John 15:1-16; especially verse 16a:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit…”

Also see 2 Peter 1:3-10; especially verse 8,

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In conclusion, the First Aspect, or detail, of God’s Everlasting Covenant is that, as a Child of God included in this Covenant, you will come to see that this Covenant is personal; between God and you; as did Abram (now Abraham). You will, in God’s timing, come to bow before God and acknowledge Him. Now you have had a name change, from barren to fruitful. Now you can, and do, confess that this Covenant included you – Hallelujah – as you have received the Blessing of Abraham:

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)

Amen and Amen!